While in the works for some time, the FCC’s proposed change to encrypt all cable service is getting some attention again. Boxee recently posted a strongly worded note asserting that the encryption rule is anti-consumer. Given all this, I thought it was appropriate to share a cautionary tale about the CableCARD standard and how it’s...
Wired’s Tim Carmody provided a thoughtful analysis of how Amazon Instant Video could overtake Netflix as well as iTunes in the streaming video area. Carmody makes a strong argument about Amazon’s value proposition as a one stop shop for video with it’s all-you-can-watch Prime video streaming, on-line rentals and purchases as well as its...
In rapid succession, TiVo has pushed out a couple of updates for its Premiere series of DVRs (14.9, 20.2) with another significant one in the wings for the spring. Last year, as TiVo announced new functionality including their new Netflix client, I wondered if the Series3 (or “TiVo HD”) platform would also be updated. TiVo did...
At CES, there are lots and lots of TVs. All of the major manufactures rolled out their new wares: Plasmas, LCDs and LEDs and now OLED and Crystal LED. There were lots of incremental improvements but no game changers. After sitting through press conferences from LG, Samsung and Panasonic, the one thought that kept...
Yes, there’s more from TiVo! Tech of the Hub also received a demo of the new Netflix client for the TiVo Premiere. Due to be released with the next major version of the TiVo software this spring, version 21, the Netflix client offers a number of improvements over the current version. As previously reported, the...
Today at CES, TiVo gave Tech of the Hub a detailed walk through of their new streaming functionality for tablets and smartphones. The functionality lets you stream video from your TiVo to an iOS or Android tablet or smartphone via the TiVo app. Yes, so be it an iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire...
Note: This post was written before today’s TiVo announcements at CES reported on by our friend Dave Zatz at Zatz Not Funny. Outside of formatting and grammar, I have not made any significant edits to it. It’s interesting to see what came to pass in the post and what has not. Specifically, TiVo revealed the features...
In a surprise move shortly after the release of 14.9, TiVo has started to push out a major update for all models of its Premiere DVR. The good news is that it brings a number of enhancements to TiVo’s user interface. On the streaming video side, Hulu Plus data is now integrated into TiVo’s...
Today, Roku announced a new version of its media player on a small USB-sized stick. With access to the same channels as the current Roku players and built-in WiFi, it will connect directly to TVs via the Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) port, turning it into a Smart TV. The first partner for the Roku...
The last couple of weeks many of the connected devices (i.e. boxes that plug into your TV) have received software updates. In the style of Chris Berman, let me see if I can give you the run down in three minutes: The folks at Roku have been busy! The Roku 2 and new LT...
Final Part of Finding a Home Theater A/V Receiver Welcome to the second and final part of our A/V receiver search. We’ve spent quality time with the Onkyo TX-NR609, the Pioneer VSX-1021-K and the Yamaha RX-V671. In part one, we looked at aesthetics, connectivity, streaming services and iPod connectivity of the Onkyo, Pioneer and...
2012 CES Coverage